February 2018 Posted in Community, News, Other, People | Comments Off on Service integration: Community collaboration outreach expands

By Mary Owen
Help for those in the Santiam Canyon is growing through a unique outreach:
Service Integration Teams.
“One of the biggest challenges for our smaller communities is being able to find a simple way to respond to needs of individuals, ...

January 2018 Posted in Community, Nature, News | Comments Off on Recovery help: Fire-impacted businesses can apply for low-interest loans

By Mary Owen
[caption id="attachment_3263" align="alignright" width="300"] Breitenbush Hot Springs Retreat and Conference Center.[/caption]
Detroit area businesses impacted by recent wildfires may get a hand-up from Marion County Emergency Management.
The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest loans for working capital ...

September 2016 Posted in News, People | Comments Off on Host of experience: Ron Harding named city administrator in Aumsville

[caption id="attachment_2853" align="alignright" width="300"] Myrna and Ron Harding have been married for 31 years. Ron is the new city administrator for Aumsville.[/caption]
By Mary Owen
Aumsville is the “perfect community” for Ron Harding, the city’s new administrator.
“It’s very similar to my hometown ...

September 2016 Posted in News, People | Comments Off on Wearing many hats: David Marshall Sublimity’s first city manager

[caption id="attachment_2857" align="alignright" width="227"] Sublimity City Manager David Marshall[/caption]
By Mary Owen
Sublimity welcomes David Marshall as the city’s first-ever city manager, a job that embraces many roles.
Marshall said his new job will be challenging as he juggles many hats including city ...

June 2016 Posted in News | Comments Off on Adding staff: City of Sublimity

By Mary Owen
Sublimity is taking steps to add a city administrator to its employee roster.
“The city of Sublimity City Council has determined that a city administrator would be a good fit for our community because it provides for continuity of ...

February 2016 Posted in News | Comments Off on Personnel matters: Dismissal of librarian leads to management review

By Mary Owen
The termination of the Stayton Library director last month has catapulted into an investigation into the management styles of several city managers.
The decision to pursue looking into recent allegations of wrong-doing that started with the dismissal of Katinka ...

February 2016 Posted in Community, News | Comments Off on Water quality town hall topic

Marion Soil and Water Conservation District will hold a town hall meeting to discuss the Oregon Department of Agriculture’s Ag Water Quality Management Plan and the Mill Creek Focus Area Project Thursday, Feb. 18, 6 - 8 p.m. at the ...

November 2015 Posted in Community, News, School | Comments Off on Safety plans updated: School districts prepare for emergencies

By Mary Owen
In light of recent school shooting events and the potential for an earthquake, local school districts are shoring up their emergency safety procedures.
“Safety has always been our top priority, yet recent events have caused us to re-examine our ...

October 2015 Posted in Community, News | Comments Off on Pot policies: Cities grapple with legalization of marijuana in October

By Mary Owen
An ordinance passed by the Stayton City Council to set rules for marijuana facilities to operate in the city goes into effect this month.
“Currently, there are two dispensaries that have submitted applications to the state as of June ...

October 2015 Posted in Community, News | Comments Off on Land laws: Aumsville hosts regional workshop

By Mary Owen
Interested in learning about city land use in your town?
“Property owners have rights and responsibilities that are governed through state wide land use laws,” Aumsville City Manager Maryann Hills said. “It is important for citizens to know what ...